Maspeth Corner Co-Named For WWI Veteran, Kowalinski

On Veterans Day, Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley joined the Maspeth community to unveil “Frank Kowalinski Way” on the corner of Maspeth Avenue and 64th Street, right outside the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post, also known as the Frank Kowalinski Post. Crowley was joined by Assembly Member Marge Markey’s office, members of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Kowalinski Post Commander Fred Gundel, Kowalinski Post members, Mateusz Stasiek, Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York; Mary Ann Foules, President of the Polish Legion of American Veterans NYS; Ken Rudzewick, President of Maspeth Federal Savings; community leaders; and Ron Wencer, cousin of Frank Kowalinski.On November 11, Veterans Day, City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley joined the Maspeth community to unveil “Frank Kowalinski Way” on the corner of Maspeth Avenue and 64th Street, right outside the Polish Legion of American Veterans Post, also known as the Frank Kowalinski Post.

Kowalinski, a World War I veteran, was born in 1894 on Clinton Avenue. In 1917, he joined the brave men and women fighting for the United States in WWI, but suffered an injury in 1918 that ultimately cost him his life. Last spring, Crowley petitioned for the street corner to be named in his honor, and on Wednesday it was made so in front of a crowd of hundreds of residents, Post members and war veterans.

“Veterans Day is about honoring the men and women who bravely fought for our country, for our freedom. I’m proud to honor Frank Kowalinski and the many members of the Frank Kowalinski Post, whose dedication and selflessness have kept Maspeth, Queens and New York City thriving for centuries,” Crowley said. “It is truly a privilege to recognize and memorialize the dedication of Frank and the millions of veterans who gave their life in the name of our freedom.”